The Rotunda Museum is full of fascinating objects, from fossils found on East Yorkshire’s Dinosaur Coast to Gristhorpe Man, the skeleton and coffin of a Bronze Age man, which is the best example of a tree burial in Britain.

Come face to face with the wonderful creatures which once called Yorkshire home at the Ancient Seas of the Yorkshire Coast display. See the fascinating collection of fossils and specially commissioned reconstructions of what marine life was like millions of years ago.

Don’t miss the mysterious bone, flint and antler objects from Star Carr, one of the most important Middle Stone Age sites of its kind in Great Britain. How might the head dress made from a red deer skull have been used?

The Rotunda is an exhibit in itself – this unique circular building, opened in 1829, is one of the world’s first purpose-built museums, built to a design suggested by William ‘Strata’ Smith, known as the father of English Geology.

The interior, with its fascinating Georgian gallery, features a frieze showing the geology of the local coastline designed by Smith’s nephew, John Phillips. The original cases tell the history of the museum and the explore the stories of the nineteenth century Scarborough Philosophical Society which brought the collections together.

Access Information

The Rotunda Museum has a lift to all floors, is fully wheelchair accessible throughout and has an accessible WC.

Support dogs are welcome. Induction loops are also available.

The Rotunda is breast feeding friendly and our staff are trained to be Dementia Friends.